Abstract: Objective To explore the role of 5-HT2A R/PKC pathway in mediating long-term facilitation (LTF) of carotid sinus nerve (CSN) discharge in chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) rats.Methods With number table,24 adult SD rats were randomly divided into saline control group (group A,n =6),5-HT2AR antagonist (ketanserin) group (group B,n =6),PKC inhibitor (PKC θ-pseudosubstrate)group (group C,n =6) and combined ketanserin with PKC θ-pseudosubstrate group (group D,n =6).All rats were placed into the animal chambers for CIH treatment,8 h per day (from 9:00 to 17:00) for 4 consecutive weeks.28 days later,5 min × 3 times of stimulation with acute intermittent bypoxia (AIH)were given,after that,stable CSN discharge activities were recorded and compared before and after intravenous injection of saline (group A),ketanserin (group B),PKC θ-pseudosubstrate (group C) or ketanserin + PKC θ-pseudosubstrate (group D),respectively.Results There were no significant difference in the baseline (before AIH stimulation) average peak amplitude of CSN discharge among the four groups (P > 0.05).In group A,the amplitude of CSN discharge at 30 min and 60 min after AIH were (5.01 ± 0.53) μV and (4.95 ± 0.34) μV respectively,which were significantly higher than that before AIH (P <0.01).The results implied that the CSN LTF could be induced by AIH in CIH pre-treatment rats.In group B,the amplitude of CSN discharge at 30 min and 60 min after AIH were (3.79 ± 0.42) μV and (3.73 ± 0.46) μV,respectively,which were still significantly higher than that before AIH (P <0.01),showing that carotid sinus nerve LTF couldn't be completely blocked by 5-HT2AR antagonist in rats.After injection of PKC θ-pseudosubstrate or ketanserin + PKC θ-pseudosubstrate in group C or D,there were no significant differences in CSN discharge amplitude before and after AIH (P >0.01),suggesting that inhibition of PKC alone or 5-HT2AR/PKC pathway could completely block the LTF of CSN.Conclusion 5-HT2AR/PKCpathway was involved in mediating long-term facilitation of carotid sinus nerve discharge in CIH rats.